Our New Dog

So Sunday Jr was at his aunt's house visiting. The kids and I stayed home because I was pretty tired from Saturday. Plus I wanted to clean the house from having my family and friends over.

When he came home he called the kids and I downstairs and said he had a surprise in the car for us. So we all went to the garage and Diego opened up the door to the backseat and to our surprise there was a beautiful black Lab laying there!

I turned to Jr and asked him why he had his aunt's dog. It turns out that they don't have the time to be taking care of him and giving him the attention he needs. And his uncle wanted to let him go. But Jr's aunt knew that Diego's birthday is coming up and that he's been wanting a dog for so long... so she asked Jr is he'd consider letting her give it to Diego as a gift. Jr loves dogs and is such a softy when it comes to his kids and immediately said yes. He's rather see the dog be loved here then thrown out to the streets. He's always had dogs growing up and truly believes every boy should have his dog.

Well the dog is so sweet! He was terrified to get out of the car at first. Jr literally had to pick him up and carry him outside to the back yard. We've been around the dog before many times so he seemed comfortable after a while with us. Diego was a little afraid of him at first because he's still a puppy so he's very playful. And he would get excited and jump on Diego to play. But the dog is bigger than Diego when he stands on his two legs. I can see how he could be intimidating. But I let the dog jump up on me and I played with him for an hour or so... so that Diego would understand that he didn't want to hurt him... he just wanted to play and he doesn't know his own strength. But Diego warmed up to him right away... and for the rest of the day he played in the backyard with him. He taught him to fetch. And they looked so cute together!

Alayna is deathly afraid of him. So I am hoping that little by little she gets to know the dog. I understand he's huge... but I've always had a fear of dogs and still do mostly... and I don't want her to be the same way. I think over time she will come to like him too. He really is the sweetest dog who just wants to be loved.

Funny Sidenote: We told Diego that when we had the money to get him a collar and a leash we'd take him out for walks regularly... until then Diego had to run around with him in the backyard so he could get some excercise. Diego was worried that it wouldn't be enough excercise for the dog. So a little while later I hear a lot of banging coming from his room. I thought he was still outside playing so I go into his room... and I find him emptying out his piggy bank with all the change my mom gave him this weekend. I asked him what he was doing and he said since it was HIS dog that he should take the responsibility of buying the collar and leash. He had a whole $1.43 in there and took it to Jr and explained what it was for. It was so cute! So today we took him to petsmart to get the leash. He was so excited to have enough money to buy the leash "all by himself" or so he thought. The cashier even gave him a handful of doggie bisquits in a plastic bag to bring home for him. Diego was beyond excited!

Now if we could just settle on a name! I like Harley... but Diego likes Dinoco McQueen (figures). But ultimately it's up to him and he hasn't quite decided yet.